Richard Makin

Richard Makin

HOT spoke to Richard Makin prior to his evening performance at Electric Palace. The eccentric and refreshing personality that is Richard Makin enlightened writer Jessica Parker into his preparation for the coming evening, and an insight into the linguistic complexity of his work.

Previous creative teacher and current novelist Richard Makin, shines an unusual and invigorating light onto the world of linguistics. Making for an interesting night of spoken language. His almost encyclopedic writing plays as a lullaby to the ears, calming the mind into a dreaming state.

Tonight we can expect a collaboration with his ‘beautiful chaotic muse’ and photographer Miranda Gavin. A collage of constructed images – Mini Mourning – fall as a distracting backdrop to emphasise his performance.

Whilst reading segments from his 2011 book Dwelling, Richard explained his passion for everything immersive within creative writing. We discussed poetry readings; the trance like state in which we allow ourselves to drift in to before being suddenly awakened by an attractive phrase. After explaining his trilogy (Work, Dwelling and Mourning) he ordered another cup of coffee, and added “poetry challenges the concept of attention”.

Tonight there will be the opportunity to purchase Richard’s work, including poetry and his trilogy, drawing a sweet conclusion to the series of Reality Street events.

After chatting briefly about tonight’s event, Richard and I talked quite rapidly about various writing styles, and he bluntly described his creative processes as ‘vigorous’ and ‘pain staking’. The harsh reality of any writer’s career. He finds that endless editing clouds the mind of correct grammar and punctuation. I can relate.

As we summed up our meeting, Richard volunteered to read aloud a couple of sonnets. His passion became apparent through his speech; clear annunciation, forceful words and powerful projection. A truly talented man.

He concluded on the statement, “I write about everything. Fiction is non-narrative, it’s not driven by plots, only the narrative threads that run throughout”.

If you wish to see Richard live, along with Denise Riley, head along to the Electric Palace at 8pm tonight.

You can read more of Richard’s densely woven narrative on HOT – his Insane Leonards quartet was published over the course of last year.

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